Killian stepped into the desolate field, where the bodies of countless souls lay buried beneath the earth. He wasn't entirely sure why he had come here, drawn to this place after the events of earlier. After dropping Amara and Lucas at the mansion, his instincts had led him straight to this forsaken graveyard. The evening had passed, and the shadows of darkness were beginning to consume everything in its reach.

His feet moved on their own, leading him in a particular direction. Before he knew it, he was standing in front of an old gravestone. He stared at it with empty eyes, his hands buried deep in his pockets. Its surface was covered in soil and grime, obscuring the name inscribed on it. He knelt slowly, his movements deliberate as he reached out and began to brush the soil from the gravestone. The name gradually came into view: Liliana Suvillian. A sigh escaped his lips. "It’s been a long time, Madre." He traced her name with his thumb, the emptiness in his eyes began to fade, revealing a flicker of the emotion he had kept hidden. (Translation- Mother).

"I’ve forgotten what you look like, Madre. Does that make me a bad son?” he asked quietly, almost to himself.

"I’m the leader of the Suvillians now,” He let her know. “I hope you’re proud of me.” A bitter, mirthless smile touched his lips. “You never loved me or Dad. How could you ever be proud of me?" His mind flashed back to the distant memory of his mother attempting to flee with her lover when he was just two years old. She had abandoned him and his father, only to be caught after a week by his father. In a ruthless confrontation, his father had killed both of them on the spot.

The wind stirred gently, causing the dried leaves scattered across the ground to flutter slightly. “There’s a girl in my life now,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. “I don’t even know why I’m telling you this, considering she’s the very reason I came here—to distract myself. She’s pregnant with my child. I don’t know how to feel about it. The child feels like a burden, and if it weren’t for the pregnancy, I would have never married Amara.”

“I…” His voice faltered, laden with guilt. “I’ve wronged her in the most unforgivable way. I’ve been a monster—cruel and inhumane. I know I can’t undo the damage I’ve done or erase the suffering she’s endured because of me, but I’m determined to make amends."He released a breath. "I want her to feel safe and secure. But why do I feel this desperate need for her to be safe and secure in my presence? Why does this need to protect and cherish her consume me so completely? Why do I crave to be the source of her happiness and smile? She’s awakening emotions in me that I’m reluctant to confront."

“Today, I imagined a family with her,” he confessed. “I’m scared to know why I’m having these thoughts.” He revealed his deepest feelings at his mother’s grave, as if speaking to her might bring the peace he needed.

Just then, his phone rang. He answered the call, his tone sharp. “What is it?”

“Boss, Derek has managed to escape,” the voice on the other end reported urgently.

Killian’s expression darkened as he rose abruptly from his crouched position. “How the fuck did he manage to escape?” he demanded, his voice seething with anger.

The man’s response came quickly. “He killed three of our men who were patrolling near his cell and managed to get away. We are still trying to track him."

“I’ll be there quickly. Send a few of our men to track him down. And remember, I want him alive.”

"Yes boss."

Killian cast a final, lingering glance at his mother’s gravestone before striding out of the graveyard. He drove to the torture chamber, the drive taking more than half an hour. Upon arrival, he stepped out of the car, and his men, standing by the entrance, bowed their heads in respect as he approached.

Santiago, the man who had reported Derek’s escape, approached Killian immediately. He bowed his head. “Boss, it’s been an hour since Derek escaped, but we haven’t found any trace of him. We sent our men out to search, but so far, they’ve come up empty."

Killian clenched his jaw.

“What about Richard?”

Santiago replied, “Richard is still in his cell. He didn’t escape with Derek, which is suspicious since they were both involved in the assault on Mrs. Suv—” Santiago halted abruptly, realising his mistake.

Killian’s sharp gaze made Santiago gulp. “I’m sorry, boss,”

Killian’s eyes turned icy. “This is the last time you mention my wife. Make the same mistake again, and you won't have a tongue left to speak about her.”

Santiago swallowed hard. “I won’t repeat the mistake, Boss."

***

Killian stood in front of Richard, gripping his hair tightly and forcing him to look up. Richard had lost a significant amount of weight, his cheekbones jutting sharply and his body appearing gaunt. After all, he and Derek had been fed only twice a week, just enough to keep them alive but barely enough to prevent them from slipping into death.

Killian landed a brutal punch to Richard’s abdomen, and Richard coughed, blood spilling from his mouth. “I’m asking you again. Where is Derek?” Killian demanded dangerously.

"I d-don’t know,” Richard stammered, his body shuddering as he forced the words out of his mouth.

"You don’t know?” Killian’s voice dropped to a menacing whisper. “You must know where his hideout is. This is your final chance, Richard. Tell me the truth, or I’ll make sure you die painfully.”

“I’m speaking the truth,” Richard pleaded. “I swear on my mother, I don’t know where he’s hiding. Trust me—” Before he could finish, Killian shot him straight between the eyes. Dark blood erupted and trickled down Richard’s face.

Killian stared at the lifeless body with cold eyes. “I said this was your last chance.”

He turned to Santiago. “Go and seize all of Derek’s properties—his house, his businesses, everything." Suddenly, a dark glint flashed in his eyes. “He has a sister, doesn’t he? Find her and bring her to me. If Derek doesn’t come to me on his own, she’ll be the one to pay for his actions.”

Santiago hesitated for a moment before speaking up. “But, Boss… his sister is innocent. Would it be fair to punish her for the crimes of her brother?”

Killian’s expression hardened as he fixed Santiago with a steely gaze. “You can’t be in this dark world and think about innocence,” he said coldly. “Blood always pays for the sins of the family. Derek’s sister will face the worst of me if he doesn’t surrender. I want her here—now.”

Santiago straightened, his tone firm. “I’ll dispatch my men to capture Derek’s sister immediately. In the meantime, I’ll head to Derek’s house myself and see if I can find anything that leads us to him.”

"Leave," Killian commanded.

Santiago nodded. "Boss," He acknowledged before quickly leaving the room.

As Killian walked through the corridors of the torture chamber, his gaze fell upon Derek’s cell. The bodies of his men lay dead on the floor, the very ones Derek had killed. Something compelled him to check inside the chamber. Stepping into the cell, he was hit by the foul odour of waste and the sight of dried blood. Ignoring the abhorrent conditions, he began to search for clues, anything that might reveal Derek’s whereabouts.

However, he found nothing aside from the bastard’s bodily waste. Clenching his jaw, he was about to step out of the cell when his eyes caught a small mark on the ground. It was barely visible, obscured by the blood that had been spilled earlier. He squinted his eyes, trying to decipher the word written in blood.

The name "Amara" was written in the crimson blood of Derek.

Killian released a low growl. The fucking bastard hadn’t learned his lesson last time, he was still after Amara.

Killian called the security head at his mansion, and the response was immediate. “Yes, Boss?”

"Guard Amara’s room with the highest level of security. No one is to enter the mansion under any circumstances. Deploy our most trusted men outside, and make sure every exit is secured. Protect her at all costs.”

The security head responded quickly from the other side, “Understood, Boss. I’ll get on it immediately."

Killian was about to end the call when he remembered something. “Also, make sure guards are stationed outside Lucas’s room. No harm must come to him.”

"Yes, Boss.”

Killian ended the call and drove swiftly toward the mansion. He arrived ahead of time, having pushed the car to its limits. He headed straight to their room, driven by an urgent need to see Amara. It felt as if he would cease if he didn’t see her.

He flung the door open and scanned the room frantically. It was empty—completely devoid of any life. For the first time, he experienced an emotion he had never nticipated.

Fear.

He felt fear.

The fear of losing Amara.

Just then, he heard a faint noise from the bathroom. His eyes snapped in that direction, and he moved toward it. He opened the door only to find Amara struggling to unzip her dress from behind. Relief flooded through Killian as he approached her. her. He wrapped his arms around her protectively, pulling her into a tight embrace. Resting his chin on top of her head, he breathed in her familiar scent, finding peace in her presence.

All the fear he had felt vanished the moment he held her in his embrace. It was then that he realised the immense power she held over him. It was terrifying—how a single person could wield so much influence that her mere absence could unleash havoc within him.

He felt Amara struggling to break free from his embrace. "Let me go," her voice came out muffled. Reluctantly, Killian loosened his hold, allowing her enough space to pull away slightly.

Amara jerked his hand away and stepped back, her eyes wide with fear. “What are you doing here?!” Her voice trembled with terror as she recoiled from him, afraid of what he might do.

"Derek has managed to escape." He revealed calmly.

"W-what?" Amara’s breath grew laboured as she heard him. The memory of the torture she had endured at Derek’s hands flashed before her eyes, and her face went ashen.

Killian quickly caught her, pulling her back into his embrace as he felt her starting to lose her balance. "You don’t need to be afraid of him or anyone else, Amara. I swear to you, nothing will harm you—not a single scratch. That’s my vow."

Amara shook her head, her voice trembling. “He... He will hurt me.” Tears welled in her eyes, and the sight made Killian’s heart clench in pain.

Fuck! He couldn’t stand seeing tears in her eyes.

“No one will hurt you.” He made her look at him.

Amara blinked, letting the tears fall and roll down her cheeks. “Every man did,” she whispered.

Killian was taken aback by her words. But then his gaze softened as he looked at her teary face.

“Then I will destroy every man who dares to harm you—including myself.”

***

Derek has escaped. Do you think it's a bad news?